Dedicated lanes, cycle friendly routes and trails will now show on Google Maps
online and on Android for Europe and Australia.

The feature, which has been available in America since 2010, has now expanded to the Europe and Australia.

A new option on Google Android Maps and a new layer on the desktop Maps will include routes that are popular for cycling and avoid hills where possible.

Writing on the Google blog, product manager Kai Hansen said “We know how popular cycling is in many parts of the world, so we wanted to include as much bike trail data as possible to provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trips, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and busy roads and to customize the look of the cycling map to encourage people to hop on their bikes.

“We've added information about bike trails, lanes and recommended roads directly to the map through the updated biking directions legend. This can help you get a better sense of your route, or easily find trails nearby for a recreational ride.”

Google is also, however, asking cyclists to update its maps with data on which routes they use frequently or which particularly suit cycling, via software called Map Maker. “We encourage all of you to help your fellow riders enjoy cycling as much as you do,” said Hansen.

Google also announced that it is extending its walking directions to Africa.